September 2024
Heidelberg Materials secures funding for Geseke cement plant GeZero carbon capture project 18 December 2023
Germany: The European Union Innovation Fund has awarded Heidelberg Materials Euro191m in funding to support its development of a carbon capture and storage (CCS) value chain at Geseke cement plant in North Rhine-Westphalia. The planned project, called GeZero, involves the construction of an oxyfuel kiln, capture system and train transport infrastructure. Having received the funding, Heidelberg Materials and its partners will commence work in January 2024. They will subsequently scale the capture system to 700,000t/yr and build pipelines to transport CO2. Energy provider Wintershall Dea will receive the CO2 at its upcoming coastal hub for processing and storage below the North Sea.
Heidelberg Materials Germany general manager Christian Knell said “Together with our partners, we walk the talk and pave the way for CCS in Germany. GeZero will complement our global project portfolio with a truly unique approach. We are developing a promising novel solution for inland cement sites, with the intention to inspire industry peers and other emission-intensive sectors to follow.”
Global chief custainability officer Nicola Kimm said “The successful grant agreement demonstrates the relevance of GeZero for the decarbonisation of our sector, and the trust that European authorities place in our approach.”
Reon Energy to build microgrid for Arabian Yemen Cement 18 December 2023
Yemen: Pakistan-based Reon Energy has won a contract to build a microgrid equipped with a 13.5MW solar power plant and a 5.59MWh battery energy storage system for Arabian Yemen Cement. The energy storage system will employ Reon Energy’s SPARK Intelligent Energy Management product. The supplier said that the project aims to reduce energy costs by 20% and lower CO2 emissions from Arabian Yemen Cement’s operations.
Arabian Yemen Cement chief executive officer (CEO) Waheeb Al-Azab said "Our partnership with Reon Energy signifies a monumental stride towards sustainable energy practices, enabling us to harness solar power, significantly reduce our carbon footprint and optimise fuel efficiency in our operations."
Reon Energy CEO Mujtaba Khan said "This collaboration marks a significant step in our commitment to delivering practical, efficient solutions, tailored to industry-specific energy challenges. We look forward to driving positive change in the energy landscape of the cement industry with Arabian Yemen Cement."
Ambuja Cements to invest US$722m in renewable energy projects 18 December 2023
India: Adani Group subsidiary Ambuja Cements plans to invest US$722m in renewable energy projects to help decarbonise its cement production. The producer has a renewable power capacity target of 1000MW, through solar and wind projects, by the end of the 2026 financial year. The proposals include a 600MW solar power project and 150MW wind power project in Gujarat, and a 250MW solar power project in Rajasthan. The company also plans to increase its waste heat recovery (WHR) capacity to 397MW by late 2028 from 103MW at present.
Ajay Kapur, the chief executive officer of Adani Group’s cement business, said "This strategic investment reaffirms our steadfast commitment to sustainable practices. We are not just aiming for a substantial increase in green power capacity but setting the stage for a transformative shift in the cement industry. They align not only with our growth trajectory but also with the national objective of decarbonisation and greener future and this helps us become competitive and sustainable."
Adani Group announced in mid-December 2023 that it was committed to investing US$100bn in the decade to the end of 2033 towards transitioning its operations to net zero CO2 emissions by 2050.
Holcim Mexico to trial hydrogen injection in cement kilns 18 December 2023
Mexico: Holcim Mexico has concluded a deal to set up a trial of hydrogen injection in kilns at one or more of its seven cement plants in Mexico. The producer says that the technology will optimise combustion processes and facilitate the increased substitution of alternative fuel.
Anhui Conch Cement to acquire Conch IT Engineering 18 December 2023
China: Anhui Conch Cement has concluded a deal to acquire equipment and software supplier Conch IT Engineering outright. Reuters has reported the value of the deal as US$18m.
China: China Resources Building Materials Technology (CRBMT) subsidiary Tianyang Cement has concluded a ‘full-process intelligent cement plant’ pilot at its 2.81Mt/yr Baise cement plant in Guangxi Province. Tianyang Cement said that the pilot entailed an upgrade that has more than doubled Baise cement plant’s production volumes and reduced its CO2 emissions per tonne of cement by 24%. Tianyang Cement says that automation has reduced the plant’s unplanned shutdowns by 56% and improved product quality.
Adbri updates market on Kwinana grinding plant expansion 15 December 2023
Australia: Adbri says that the cost and timing of its on-going expansion of its Kwinana grinding plant in Western Australia remain ‘on track.’ To date, the producer has invested US$161m in the expansion, towards a projected cost of US$385-420m.
In an accompanying trading update, Adbri said that it expects its full-year earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) to be US$208 -212m in 2023, ‘moderately’ above its previous outlook. In 2022, its earnings before interest and taxation (EBIT) amounted to US$106m. The company has forecast total capital expenditure investments for 2023 of US$208-215m. It previously expected to invest US$221-235m during 2023.
Spain: Holcim España has committed to reaching 50% reduced-CO2 cement production at its Sagunto cement plant in Valencia. The cement comes under its ECOPlanet range, which offers emissions reductions of up to 30%. General manager Lucas García said that the company relies on supplementary cementitious materials, including recycled raw materials, and alternative fuels in producing the cement.
The El Mercantil Valenciano newspaper has reported that the Sagunto plant’s environmental manager, Carmen Orts, said that its application of 29 different best available techniques ‘ensures the protection of the environment with a holistic vision.’
Lafarge faces new court case in US over alleged terror funding 15 December 2023
US/Iraq: Victims of ISIS brought a new claim for compensation against Lafarge on 14 December 2023 for its alleged complicity in crimes committed by the terrorist group in Iraq. A group of US citizens who belong to the Yazidi minority has sued the company, now part of Switzerland-based Holcim, in a US court. ISIS conducted a genocide against the Yazidi people in Sinjar, Iraq, beginning on 3 August 2014. The genocide involved 2100 – 4400 killings and 4200 – 10,800 abductions of girls and women, and displaced 500,000 people.
On 18 October 2023, Lafarge and Lafarge Syria pleaded guilty to conspiring to provide material support to ISIS and its ally al-Nusra Front by paying them approximately US$5.92m to continue operating during the Syrian Civil War.
Barrister Amal Clooney, representing the claimants in the latest case, said “It is shocking that a leading global corporation worked hand in hand with ISIS while ISIS was executing American civilians and committing genocide against Yazidis. We hope that this case will send a clear message that supporting terrorists cannot be ‘business as usual’ and that there will be justice for the victims.”
Sika opens Suzhou Technology Centre 15 December 2023
China: Switzerland-based Sika has opened its new Suzhou Technology Centre in Jiangsu Province. The centre will help Sika to develop its sustainable and high-performance technologies in order to grow it market potential throughout the Asia/Pacific region. By strategically expanding its research and development activities across all core technologies, Sika aims to further strengthen its global innovation leadership.
Chief innovation and sustainability officer Patricia Heidtman said "With our new technology centre, we are strengthening our innovation capabilities in the Asia/Pacific region and are fostering synergies in sustainable construction and environmentally friendly mobility. We have created the ideal framework for close collaboration between our research teams. It will thus enable us to develop forward-looking technologies for our customers that combine sustainability with performance."